We might be poor, but we are not beggars: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Congress-led central government of depriving the state after the Trinamool Congress withdrew support to the UPA, and said that the centre wants the state to die of hunger.

"Since the time we raised our voices against FDI and price hike of fertilisers, petrol and diesel, the central government has been trying to financially deprive the state," Banerjee said at a rally in Purulia.

"The centre wants us to die of hunger. But so long we are in power in the state, we will not let that happen. We might be poor, but we are not beggars. We will not buckle under pressure," Banerjee said.

Claiming that her government has done a lot of development work in spite of financial crises, Banerjee said she was committed to help farmers and the economically weaker sections of the society.

"Some sections are saying that we have not done anything. I challenge them to go court and file a defamation case if I have given any false promises or lied to the people," she said.

Along with announcing social security schemes, Banerjee said a research centre, a multi-super speciality hospital, 12 model schools and an industrial training institute would be established in Purulia district.